Wine Advisor
La Clarte de Haut Brion Blanc 2018
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The 2018 La Clarté de Haut-Brion is absolutely gorgeous. Bright, aromatic and so expressive, the Clarté hits all the right notes. Lemon confit, sage, dried herbs, mint and flowers grace this taut, finely-knit dry white. The 2018 is both supple but nervy, a balance that works so well in this vintage. In a word: terrific.
Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni
The 2018 La Clarté de Haut-Brion soft, creamy and inviting. Lemon confit, orchard fruit, dried herbs and flowers all meld together in the Clarté, the Sémillon based white that is essentially the second white wine of both La Mission Haut-Brion and Haut-Brion. Supple and easygoing with impeccable balance, the Clarté is a delicious white that will offer plenty of enjoyment right out of the gate. This is very nicely done. The blend is 79.2% Sémillon and 20.8% Sauvignon Blanc.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
The 2018 La Clarté de Haut-Brion has opened up on the nose since I tasted it from barrel, though that said, it still needs coaxing. It opens to reveal green apple, white peach and melon scents (but none of the brioche elements that I picked up previously). The palate is balanced and fresh, and quite saline in the mouth, with modest weight, although it does not deliver the excitement or the complexity of a top-flight dry white Bordeaux. Drink over the next decade or so.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
The 2018 La Clarté de Haut-Brion, picked 27 August to 5 September, has a tight, backward, candle wax and brioche scented bouquet that needs some coaxing. The palate is well balanced with a slightly viscous opening. There is a pleasant saline note on the back palate although for me, it does not deliver the same precision as the previous vintage on the finish. Maybe that will develop with time?
About the Producer
Grapes sourced from both Chateau Haut-Brion and Chateau La Mission Haut-Brion. Previously called 'Les Plantiers du Haut-Brion'. Expert tasting note: (2021 vintage) "Pale yellow in color with green hints. The medium intensity of fruit aromas are leafy, with gooseberry & slight catty notes - these are backed by creamy/leasy notes. The palate shows ripe mango & passion-fruit aromas with mineral notes behind them. The wine is full-bodied & rich, with alcohol adding a little warmth & roundness to the palate. The finish has pretty good length."
